Category Archives: Hermeticism

Journal for the Academic Study of Magic 5

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JSM5
Format: Softcover
£20/US$40


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Review of JSM 5: Journal for the Academic Study of Magic, Volume 5

The fifth volume of the Journal for the Academic Study of Magic (JSM5) continues its tradition of offering rich, scholarly insights into the multifaceted world of magic and esotericism. This edition is particularly noteworthy for its broad range of topics, which span different cultures, historical periods, and perspectives, providing readers with a well-rounded exploration of magical practices and beliefs.

Philip Jewell’s article on Flavius Josephus offers an intriguing examination of how Jewish magic was adapted to fit Roman sensibilities, shedding light on the intersection of religion, culture, and power. Dan Harms’ discussion of grimoires in the conjure tradition provides a deep dive into the practical and ritualistic uses of these texts, making it a must-read for those interested in the tangible aspects of magic.

Dana Winters’ analysis of Doctor Faustus highlights the integration of Hermetic and Cabalistic elements in Marlowe’s work, revealing the complex layers of Renaissance esotericism. Sabina Magliocco’s piece on Italian cunning craft introduces readers to a lesser-known tradition, offering preliminary but valuable observations that encourage further study.

J.A. Silver Frost’s exploration of secret astrologers operating within mainstream professions is both fascinating and accessible, showing how these individuals navigated societal norms while practising their craft. Patrick Maille’s article on martyrs, magic, and Christian conversion presents a thought-provoking look at how magic influenced religious transitions.

Kennet Granholm’s study of Pekka Siitoin provides a critical examination of the darker intersections of anti-Semitism, Theosophy, and Christianity in occult doctrines, offering a sobering reminder of the political dimensions of esoteric beliefs. Lastly, Marguerite Johnson’s exploration of sex magic in 1950s Australia offers a glimpse into the intersection of sexuality and the occult, a topic that remains relevant in contemporary studies.

Overall, JSM5 is a compelling and diverse collection of essays that will appeal to both scholars and enthusiasts of magic. It successfully bridges the gap between academic rigour and the captivating nature of its subject matter.

Bulwer-Lytton

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Occult Personality

John S. Moore

Bulwer-Lytton Occult Personality
John S. Moore
ISBN: 9781906958855, 166pp/bw & full colour illustrations.
£20+p&p / US$26.00+p&p

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Edward Bulwer, Lord Lytton, once the most successful novelist in the English speaking world, now unfairly neglected and even derided, was also the central figure in the underground culture of magic and the occult. With his esoteric studies he built a reputation for deep learning in the history and philosophy of this alternative tradition, as well as passing for an adept in his own right. His creative influence, especially through his occult fiction, was surprisingly far reaching.

The book sets the achievement of this nineteenth century magus into a large historical context, exploring the intellectual and other influences on him as well as movements he inspired. Some chapters discuss aspects of Bulwer’s life, while some explore people and ideas that influenced him and others those he influenced. His seminal role in several cultural movements has been largely forgotten, not least in his home country. This book offers an often unfamiliar perspective on the Victorian era and hopefully succeeds in provoking some questions about our own times.


With Bulwer as its focus, and employing a wealth of illustrations, it manages to provide a whirlwind tour of much occult and esoteric culture, from Iamblichus to Symbolist art and literature, Theosophy and modern psychedelia.

Watch John Moore’s presentation of Bulwer-Lytton Occult Personality
on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iufOV7EmT0Y&feature=youtu.be

William Lilly: Magician, Astrologer & Adept

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William Lilly,
Magician, Astrologer & Adept 
Peter Stockinger & Sue Ward

Foreword by David Conway

Format: Softcover, 252pp
ISBN: 978-1-906958-62-6


£14.99+p&p / US$26.00+p&p

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Triple Peter Stockinger UK

Triple Peter Stockinger USA 

Born less than a year before the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, William Lilly lived during one of the most turbulent times in English history. Like so many of his generation, he had to deal with the plague, was drawn into the madness of the English Civil War and was forced to take sides, and witnessed the regicide of King Charles I. Lilly lived in a time of enormous religious and social upheaval, but his astrology remained the outer expression of a magical world-view, based on hermetic and neo-Platonic principles and rooted in the 16th century.

This book provides the reader with a thorough introduction to the world of William Lilly, the famous 17th century astrologer and magician. It brings together transcripts of his autobiography and of some of his most important works. It also includes Peter Stockinger and Sue Ward’s Monster of Ingratitude, an investigative journey offering new insights into the notorious contention between Lilly and the astrologer John Gadbury. Amongst other valuable information, the book contains:

* The Life of William Lilly, Student in Astrology

* Monster of Ingratitude
This research contains brief biographies of Lilly and Gadbury. It shows how their enmity began, developed and ended, including details of the rather one-sided pamphlet war. An in-depth study of published material, timelines and bibliographic entries of all primary sources used are also included and provide the grounds for a different explanation from that commonly proposed.

”The Last Magician is a very worthwhile work. Although some parts are hard going for the non-specialist, others are of value to anyone with an interest in Enlightenment esotericism and seventeenth-century English history in general. — Clive Prince.”

The Flying Sorcerer

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Being the magical and aeronautical adventures of Francis Barrett, author of The Magus

Francis X. King

The Flying Sorcerer, Francis Barrett
Francis X. King
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 9781869928209
£15.00 / US$22.00
Subjects: Hermeticism/Biography/Magick/Occult.

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The Flying Sorcerer is the only biography of an enigmatic 18th-century magus Francis Barrett, whose book The Magus or Celestial Intelligencer, laid the foundation of the current magical revival. He was the first author since the middle ages to compile a manual or ‘grimoire’ of magick. The Magus or Celestial Intelligencer is widely read and still capable of providing insight.

Francis King offers a fascinating picture of Francis Barrett, a man who lived on the frontier of technology, both in terms of the inner landscape and his pioneering experiments in balloon flight. It discusses his teachers, peers, and the subsequent progress of his disciples.